Dot To Dot Festival has just announced its return to Bristol and Nottingham across the late May bank holiday in 2026
Once again set to showcase the best emerging talent on 23rd and 24th May, the festival was recently nominated for Inner-City Festival Of The Year and Line-Up Of The Year (UK Festival Awards) and Best Independent Festival (Access All Areas).
This exciting first wave of names is the beginning of another edition of Dot To Dot Festival. Super Early Bird and Early Bird tickets are now SOLD OUT – with Second Release tickets on sale now for just £30 (plus booking fees).
After an emphatic celebration of its 20th anniversary in 2025, Dot To Dot continues to grow into a mainstay of the festival calendar and again boasts a genre-defiant line-up packed with some of the most exciting live acts on the circuit right now.
Having already graced the covers of DIY, NME, Kerrang! And NOTION, Lambrini Girls dropped their long-awaited debut album, ‘Who Let The Dogs Out’, via City Slang at the start of 2025. With it, they stormed through the year via an array of high-intensity sell out performances across the UK, Europe and beyond. Interlacing political commentary with their unique brand of magnificent instrumentation, the Brighton-based duo deftly invoke danger, excitement and intrigue.
Fresh from opening for Tame Impala across the ‘Deadbeat Tour’, electronic duo Fcukers have managed to unite the night life scenes of both London and their native New York city with exhilarating parties and sold out shows. Their euphoric soundscapes are built around 90s/00s house music, tasteful trip-hop, big beat, indie rock and everything in between. Celebrated by BBC Radio 6 Music, Apple Music’s Matt Wilkinson, BBC 1’s Jack Saunders and Ariel Free; Fcukers are experts in making use of the DIY scene laid out before them – playing in an unused swimming pool and launching an EP in an empty dim sum hall are just two examples.
Since their formation in 2018, Galway-formed trio NewDad have continuously shifted their own boundaries to develop into a powerhouse. From lo-fi, shoegaze beginnings with 2021 debut EP ‘Waves’, to their grungey, alt-rock sophomore album ‘Altar’ this year – NewDad have remained prolific in seamlessly shifting between anger-fuelled anthemics and intimate and melancholic introspection. The much acclaimed release of debut album ‘Madra’ offered a cornerstone for NewDad to thrive, and with extensive live touring and quick-comeback with LP 2, they have staked their claim as one of the most important live acts right now.
Lambrini Girls, Fcukers and NewDad leading the first wave of Dot To Dot 2026’s line up highlights the importance event organisers place on not defining the event solely by the artists performing – but the continued championing and celebrating of emerging artists building a strong reputation in the live scene.
Conrad Rogan, booker for Dot To Dot Festival and DHP Family said: “We are thrilled to be announcing the first 30 acts for 2026! After our 20th anniversary last year, we are proud to continue to bring festival-goers in Bristol and Nottingham the very best in emerging talent from across the UK and beyond. Dot To Dot Festival’s ethos is to give the freshest acts with huge potential a platform, and I am delighted to once again do that in 2026.”
This genre-spanning release of the first 30 names capitalizes on the festival’s reputation for unearthing some of the hottest new talent in the UK and beyond right now, bringing them once again to beloved grassroots and independent venues in two of the UK’s most exciting and vibrant music cities. With many more announcements to follow, including a whole host of talent local to Bristol and Nottingham in support of these regional scenes, 2026 is beginning to take shape.
Making up the rest of this exciting first wave is Murkage Dave - one of the UK’s most singular voices. Over the last decade he has crafted a body of work that refuses to fit neatly into any genre box. His music, loosely pop but informed by indie, outsider art, and an instinct for storytelling, is built on honesty, empathy, and fearless social commentary. Silver Gore – the incredible indie-pop meets folk-rock meets electronic duo Ethan P. Flynn and Ava Gore – head to Dot To Dot Festival after a stellar run of European shows alongside Water From Your Eyes.
Enabling rock, alternative and psychedelia to coexist in one ecosystem with airtight instrumentation and deft songcraft; Vancouver quartet Meltt promise a mind-bending experience at this year’s festival. As do fellow Canadian outfit La Sécurité – the dance punk group offering jumpy beats, off-kilter arrangements and minimalistic melodic hooks- and Toronto based songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Clothesline From Hell.
Flooding – the slow-core noise-rock trio fronted by guitarist, vocalist and songwriter Rose Brown and supported by bassist Cole Billings and drummer Zach Cunningham – are inspired by a broad-spectrum of iconic names such as Sonic Youth and The B-52s, as well as contemporary favourites Wednesday and Cherry Glazerr. Also inspired by Sonic Youth are Green Star. Consisting of Los Angeles’ Lilah Bobak, Mallorca’s Pedro Soler and Madrid’s Alberto De Torre; the band formed in London through the city’s creative collaborative warehouse scene.
London-based musician and songwriter Alice Costelloe – formerly of critically acclaimed shoegaze duo Big Deal and previously live bassist for Superfood – is set to release debut album ‘Move On With The Year’ in February ahead of joining the Dot To Dot line-up. Other fast rising favourites amongst the first wave are Cork art-rock five piece Pebbledash. Incorporating noise-rock and dream-pop to create textured soundscapes underpinned by grumbling basslines, they’re quickly gaining a reputation as a mighty fine live band via touring with Bar Italia and headlining Irish dates at Whelans at St. Luke’s Cathedral in Roisin Dubh.
High-energy indie-rock trio Fool Nelson make the trip to Dot To Dot Festival from Boorloo/Perth, WA. Consisting of two brothers and their best mate, their catchy tunes and powerful live performances have seen them quickly rise in the Australian scene. Fellow Australian favourites The Rions kick-started 2025 with their new single ‘Shut You Out’, and have spent the remainder of the year selling out shows with their infectious indie-pop melodies.
Following hugely impressive shows in their hometown of Bristol in between packing out venues nationwide, Grandmas House return to Dot To Dot Festival for what promises to be a raucous blend of grunge and post-punk live show.
Pollyfromthedirt is one of the most intriguing new voices to emerge from England’s suburbs. Mixing, mastering and engineering everything himself – the jagged lo-fi sound is equally tactile and groundbreaking. Another artist breaking through from outside of the city boundaries is Bury St Edmunds’ raised 20 year old musician Pozzy who blends grime, R&B and electronic influences into a sound as introspective as it is infectious.
Born through Manchester’s experimental dance underbelly, Another Country $$$$ are an audio-visual duo combining shape-shifting electronic production and live drums. Likewise, Leeds six-piece Adult DVD have earned a solid reputation for their relentless output of euphoric hooks that could be mistaken for a club night.
Ferocious, high-intensity performances will come from LAWN CHAIR who have honed their craft across the UK and Germany alongside Deadletter and Sleaford Mods – as well as Irish affirmative-rock four-piece Bleech 9:3 who continue to impress across Dublin and London.
Classically trained musician Blossom Caldarone has collaborated with the likes of The Big Moon, Prima Queen and English Teacher – and heads to Dot To Dot Festival on the back of being championed by Absolute Radio, Amazing Radio, BBC Introducing and DORK. Another artist with an impressive co-sign to reel off is Jessy Blakemore – who lists Billie Eilish, Central Cee, Stormzy and Dave amongst hers. Following live performances alongside SZA at BST Hyde Park, she draws comparisons to Cleo Sol and Dijon.
Having just released new single ‘Car Collision’, Bristol indie-pop quartet HUNNY BUZZ are best known for their vibrant fusion of melancholic melodies and upbeat energies. Keeping the upbeat energy flowing will be Brighton’s AtticOmatic, who defy definition and embrace the everchanging direction of musical threads. Combining jazz, post punk, hip-hop and electronica – the five members work in perfect harmony with a shared understanding of the importance of a shared live experience.
What began as a solo project for Izzy Hagerup before expanding into a full line-up, Prewn is a project unafraid to confront heavy themes with raw honesty and unshakeable resolve. London born and bred artist Sarah Meth offers an equally personal experience through her vulnerable lyricism and musical depth shaped by an extensive knowledge.
The Itch – steered by Georgia Hardy and Simon Tyrie – met at an open mic night where they swapped music recommendations and exposed each other to new genres. The result is a style that is truly their own, created and produced in their own makeshift home studio where they learned to DJ and put on club nights.
Possessing a clear depth and passion for sound, Eaves Wilder is a genuine music connoisseur – with expansive influences ranging from the Cocteau Twins and Slowdive to Jane’s Addiction and Lily Allen. First signing to Secretly Canadian at 18, Wilder is now more self-assured than ever; with all high-stakes energy, razor-sharp lyrics and unapologetic intent. Marsy are a London five-piece who combine effortless songwriting and timeless melodies. With just two singles online, the band have been honing their craft across the UK and drawn comparisons to the likes of Angel Olsen and Jessica Pratt.
This exciting first wave of names is the beginning of another edition of Dot To Dot Festival. Super Early Bird and Early Bird tickets are now SOLD OUT – with Second Release tickets on sale now for just £30 (plus booking fees).
Head to Dot To Dot’s social media pages on Instagram, Tik Tok, Facebook and X as well as online at www.dottodotfestival.co.uk to stay up to date on the latest announcements and to keep yourself in the loop for all things #d2dfest.
Published on 09 December 2025 by UKFG
